First FUCHS Armored Transport Vehicle With Enhanced Protection Against Mines and IEDs Handed Over to the Troops
In order to meet “Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR)”, 21 FUCHS armored transport vehicles are being equipped with an enhanced protection against mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
The first production vehicle comprising the enhanced level of protection was handed over to its future user, the Joint Operations Command, during a working group meeting held at Rheinmetall in Kassel on 20 March 2008. The remaining 20 vehicles are scheduled to be delivered by June 2008.
When the FUCHS was first developed in the 1970s, it was intended for use as a transport vehicle designed to meet Bundeswehr-specific requirements. The procurement and improvement of more than 1000 vehicles resulted in a large number of variants (e.g. Fuchs NBC reconnaissance vehicle, electronic warfare vehicle, communications vehicle, ambulance vehicle). Due to continuous post-design and technical logistic support throughout its previous service life, the armored vehicle has been one of the most reliable Bundeswehr vehicles in the countries of deployment when compared to more recent vehicle developments. Previous activities have helped to improve the ballistic protection, ergonomics and payload of 124 armored vehicles. The additional protective elements to be installed now make further use of the potential to improve crew safety offered by the vehicles. In addition, measures aimed at enhancing protection (jammers) and robustness (weapon station) are currently in preparation.
